Actress Kelly Preston has died of breast cancer, John Travolta announced

• John Travolta announced on Instagram that the actress Kelly Preston, his wife of 29 years, had died of breast cancer at age 57.
• "It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer," Travolta wrote. "She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many."
• Preston and Travolta have two children: Ella, 20, and Benjamin, 9.
• Preston was best known for her roles in "Jerry Maguire," "What a Girl Wants," and "The Cat in the Hat."

John Travolta has announced that the actress Kelly Preston, his wife of 29 years, has died from breast cancer at 57.

"It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer," Travolta wrote on Instagram. "She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.

"My family and I will forever be grateful to her doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center, all the medical centers that have helped, as well as her many friends and loved ones who have been by her side. Kelly's love and life will always be remembered."

Travolta continued: "I will be taking some time to be there for my children who have lost their mother, so forgive me in advance if you don't hear from us for a while. But please know that I will feel your outpouring of love in the weeks and months ahead as we heal. All my love, JT."

It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many. My family and I will forever be grateful to her doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center, all the medical centers that have helped, as well as her many friends and loved ones who have been by her side. Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered. I will be taking some time to be there for my children who have lost their mother, so forgive me in advance if you don’t hear from us for a while. But please know that I will feel your outpouring of love in the weeks and months ahead as we heal. All my love, JT

A post shared by John Travolta (@johntravolta) on Jul 12, 2020 at 10:20pm PDTJul 12, 2020 at 10:20pm PDT

Travolta and Preston have two children: Ella, 20, and Benjamin, 9. Their firstborn, Jett, died in 2009 at age 16 in the Bahamas after having a seizure.

Today, and every day, we celebrate you @therealkellypreston for being the best mother to our kids! Happy Mother’s Day! And Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms today!

A post shared by John Travolta (@johntravolta) on May 10, 2020 at 11:49am PDTMay 10, 2020 at 11:49am PDT

Ella also posted a tribute to her mother on Instagram, writing: "I have never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you. Anyone who is lucky enough to have known you or to have ever been in your presence will agree that you have a glow and a light that never ceases to shine and that makes anyone around you feel instantly happy."

She continued: "Thank you for being there for me no matter what. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your help and thank you for making this world a better place. You have made life so beautiful and I know you will continue to do so always. I love you so much mama."

I have never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you. Anyone who is lucky enough to have known you or to have ever been in your presence will agree that you have a glow and a light that never ceases to shine and that makes anyone around you feel instantly happy. Thank you for being there for me no matter what. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your help and thank you for making this world a better place. You have made life so beautiful and I know you will continue to do so always. I love you so much mama.❤️

A post shared by Ella Travolta (@ella.travolta) on Jul 12, 2020 at 10:38pm PDTJul 12, 2020 at 10:38pm PDT

Travolta and Preston married in 1991. Before that, Travolta was in a relationship with Diana Hyland, who also died of breast cancer while he was with her.

Preston is best known for her roles in "Jerry Maguire" and "What a Girl Wants," as well as for playing the mom in "The Cat in the Hat." Preston and Travolta collaborated together in two films: 2000's "Battlefield Earth" and her last released movie before her death, "Gotti." She will also appear in "Off the Rails," which is yet to be released.